Hearing Assistive System With Low Power Interface

ABSTRACT

A communications interface provides for communications between a wireless communication device and a hearing assistive device. The communications interface converts a signal, including an audio signal, received from the wireless communication device into a format recognizable by a hearing assistive device. The communications interface generates a communication signal including the audio signal based on the converted signal and transmits the communication signal to the hearing assistive device using a low power radio frequency transmission protocol. The hearing assistive device converts the communication signal received from the communications interface into a usable format, extracts an audible signal from the communication signal, and manipulates the extracted audible signal according to a criterion associated with a user of the hearing assistive device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/579,883, filed Oct. 14, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/247,746, filed Oct. 7, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No.7,620,429), the entireties of which are herein incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and moreparticularly, to a wireless interface for managing communicationsbetween a wireless communications device and a hearing assistive device.

BACKGROUND

A Hearing Assistive Device (HAD), such as a hearing aid, is typicallyworn at the ear of a user and includes a microphone and a telecoil forreceiving audio input. In microphone mode, sound waves are received bythe microphone and converted into electrical energy, and the resultantelectrical signal is then amplified, processed, and output to the user.In telecoil mode, a telecoil is coupled to an inductive field of ahearing aid compatible device, such as a telephone, to receive audiosignals and the signals are amplified, processed, and output to theuser.

When using a Wireless Communications Device (WCD), such as a cellulartelephone, a HAD user typically places the WCD proximate the HAD inorder for the HAD microphone to receive sound emitted from the WCD'sspeaker. However, the close proximity of the WCD to the HAD may resultin unwanted interference as varying RF and magnetic fields associatedwith the WCD are detected and processed as electrical signals by theHAD. For example, RF interference may result when radio waves emitted bya cellular telephone are detected and demodulated by the HAD circuitry.Wireless devices that employ time division multiplexed modulationschemes may generate interference due to the on/off keying of theirmodulation envelopes. The pulsing transmissions of such devices mayproduce interference at the fundamental frequencies associated with thepulse rates, as well as at the associated harmonic frequencies acrossthe audible spectrum.

In addition to RE interference, wireless devices may also generatemagnetic interference when placed proximate a HAD. Cellular telephoneelectronics, such as backlighting, displays, keypads, battery leads andcircuit boards may generate pulsed magnetic fields. The resultantmagnetic field energy may be coupled with the HAD's wiring andinterconnections and result in interference.

Thus, when a WCD is placed proximate a HAD, such as the standard usageposition when the WCD's speaker is placed proximate the HAD, unwantedelectronic interference often results. Such interference can bediminished by moving the interfering device a distance away from theHAD. Generally speaking, the interference ratio experienced by a hearingaid user as a wireless device is pulled away from the hearing aid isgenerally represented by a squared relationship. For example, if awireless device is moved from a first distance x from a hearing aid to asecond distance 2x, then the interference generated at the distance 2xis one-quarter that of the interference generated at the distance x.Thus, the interference generated by a WCD may be greatly reduced bymoving the WCD a distance from the HAD. Of course, a significantobstacle to moving such devices away from the HAD is the decreasedability of the HAD user to communicate with the WCD, such as the abilityto receive audio output from the WCD speaker or to provide speech to theWCD microphone.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods thatenable communications between a Hearing Assistive Device (HAD), such asa hearing aid, and a Wireless Communications Device (WCD), such as acellular telephone, while mitigating unwanted interference. Here a WCDincludes any audio device equipped to receive and transmit, via a shortrange communication protocol, any distinguishable sound wave includingcell phones, audio file decoders such as but not limited to MP3 players,radios, televisions, computers, devices enabled with short rangetransmitters, and the like or parts thereof. In one exemplaryembodiment, a system is provided in which signals received at a WCD areprovided to a HAD via a Low Power RF Interface. In another embodiment,the Interface may also receive input from a HAD user, such as the user'sspeech, and provide associated voice signals to the WCD.

The system can include a Bluetooth-enabled Wireless CommunicationsDevice (BWCD), an RF-enabled Hearing Assistive Device (RHAD), and anInterface for providing communication between the BWCD and the RHAD. TheInterface can receive voice signals from the BWCD via a Bluetooth signaland provide the voice signals to the RHAD via a low power RF signal.This arrangement enables the BWCD to be moved a distance away from theRHAD to decrease potential interference at the RHAD, while stillallowing the RHAD user to communicate using the BWCD. For example, theRHAD user can use the BWCD to communicate with the user of anothercommunications device over a telecommunications network.

While embodiments of the disclosure are described with regard tospecific communication protocols and standards, such as Bluetooth, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the disclosurethat are short range communication enabled may include a broad range ofprotocols or standards. Means for short range communication include IEEE802.11, 802.15.1 (Bluetooth and Bluetooth lite), 802.15.4a (Zigbee),802.15.3 (Ultra Wideband), IrDa, near-field communications (NFC), activeradio-frequency identification (active RFID), low power FM, proprietystandards, and other low power wireless transceivers. Accordingly,although the illustrated embodiments teach the present disclosure by wayof a Bluetooth protocol, this is for purposes of illustration only andnot limitation as all means for short range communication arecontemplated and many are shown immediately above.

In an exemplary embodiment, the Interface can be provided with aBluetooth module to establish a communications link with the BWCD andreceive a Bluetooth signal in accordance with Bluetooth protocol. TheInterface also can be provided with a Low Power RF module to establish acommunications link with a RHAD and transmit low power RF signals to theRHAD. The Interface may also include control logic to execute controlinstructions, a user interface, a CODEC Processor for processingsignals, and a power source.

In another exemplary embodiment, the Interface includes a microphone forreceiving speech from an RHAD user and transmitting associated voicesignals to the BWCD. The Interface can be provided with a housing thatis adapted for placing the Interface a distance from the RHAD, such asmeans for attaching the Interface to the clothing of a user.

The RHAD can include RF Communications Logic for receiving low power RFsignals from the Interface. The RHAD RF Communications Logic is adaptedfor communications with the Interface's Low Power RF CommunicationsLogic. The RHAD also can include a Hearing Assistive Module forreceiving and processing signals in accordance with the hearingdeficiencies of the RHAD user.

The present disclosure also includes a method for communicating with aHAD. In an exemplary embodiment the method includes receiving a shortrange communication signal from a wireless communications device at anInterface, extracting an audible signal from the short range signal, andtransmitting the audible signal to the RHAD via a low power RF signal.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is a communicationsinterface including a first communications module adapted to receive acommunication signal, which itself includes an audible signal, from awireless communications device, and a second communications moduleadapted to receive and provide that audible signal to a hearingassistive device. Here the interface receives the audible signal via afirst communication protocol and sends the audible signal via a secondcommunication protocol. Another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure is a hearing assistive device including communications logicconfigured to receive a communication signal via a short rangecommunication protocol and hearing assistive circuitry in communicationwith the logic, wherein the circuitry is configured to manipulate thesignal in accordance with the user's hearing criteria. Still anotherexemplary embodiment includes radio frequency (RF) communications logicadapted to receive a low power RF signal from an interface, and housingadapted to communicatively couple the logic to a hearing assistivedevice.

An exemplary system of the present disclosure includes an interface andan RF enabled hearing assistive device. Here, the interface includes afirst module adapted to receive an audible signal from a wireless deviceand a second module adapted to provide the audible signal to the hearingassistive device via a low power RF signal. Exemplary methods of thepresent disclosure include receiving at an interface a communicationfrom a wireless device, extracting a desired signal from thecommunication at a first module of the interface, and providing thedesired signal to a second module in communication with a hearingassistive device. Here, the communication is received by a first shortrange protocol and the signal is sent by a second short range protocol.Additional exemplary methods include receiving a low power RF signalfrom an interface at a hearing assistive device, extracting an audiblesignal from the RF signal, and providing the audible signal to a speakerof a hearing assistive device.

The devices, systems and methods of the disclosure enable a HAD user tocommunicate using a WCD without undue interference. Interference isreduced by allowing a WCD to be positioned at a distance from a user'sHAD. The magnitude of the low power RF signal used by the Interface totransmit a voice signal to the RHAD is such that it does not produceinterference at the RHAD. Because the Interface also can be provided ata distance from the RHAD, the electromagnetic fields generated by theInterface's power source do not interfere with the RHAD. Furthermore,because the Bluetooth signals between the Interface and the BWCD arefrequency hopped, the interference with the RHAD due to the Bluetoothsignal is negligible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a Hearing Assistive System with Low Power Interface,in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a Hearing Assistive System with Low Power Interface,in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a Low Power Interface, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a housing of a Low Power Interface, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an RF-enabled Hearing AssistiveDevice, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It must beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary, and thatconcepts of the present disclosure may be embodied in various andalternative forms, and combinations thereof. The figures are notnecessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimizedto show details of particular components. In other instances, well-knowncomponents, systems, materials or methods have not been described indetail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein provide a HearingAssistive Device (HAD) and an Interface that provides a communicationslink between the HAD and a Wireless Communications Device (WCD), therebyallowing communication between a HAD and a WCD without undueinterference. While embodiments of the disclosure are described withregard to specific communication protocols and standards, such asBluetooth, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments ofthe disclosure that are short range communication enabled may include abroad range of protocols or standards, such as means for short rangecommunication presented above. In the illustrated embodiments the HAD isRF enabled and the WCD is Bluetooth enabled. Similarly, embodimentsinclude a HAD including any suitable low power wireless systemconfigured to receive a signal from the Interface. In some embodimentsthe HAD includes the same short range communication enablement as theWCD.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent likeelements throughout, FIG. 1 illustrates a Hearing Assistive System (HAS)100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The illustrated HAS 100 includes a Bluetooth-enabledWireless Communications Device (BWCD) 102, an Interface 104, and aRF-enabled Hearing Assistive Device (RHAD) 106.

As shown in FIG. 1, the BWCD 102, which for purposes of teaching and notlimitation is illustrated in the form of a cellular telephone, cancommunicate over a telecommunications network. In this example, the BWCD102 is shown communicating with another communications device 118 over acellular telecommunications network 116. The cellular telecommunicationsnetwork 116 may be connected with other networks such as a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), the Internet, and other private orpublic networks. The BWCD 102 is Bluetooth-enabled so that it mayestablish communication with other Bluetooth-enabled devices inaccordance with that communication protocol.

The Interface 104 is adapted for establishing a communications link withthe BWCD 102. Here the Interface is Bluetooth-enabled so that it mayestablish a Bluetooth communications link with the BWCD 102 to form apiconet. In the illustrated embodiment the BWCD 102 serves as a masterand the Interface 104 as a slave under the Bluetooth protocol.

The BWCD 102 receives a communication signal 110 from anothercommunications device 118, such as a cellular telecommunications signalreceived during a communication session between the BWCD 102 and thecommunications device 118. Typically the BWCD 102 extracts desiredaudible signals from the cellular communications signal and thosedesired audible signals are output at the speaker of the BWCD. Here,desired or audible signals include all signals intended to be heard bythe user 108, including voice and music. In this case, the voice signalsmay be converted to Bluetooth format and transmitted to the Interface104 via a Bluetooth signal 112. The Interface 104 receives the BluetoothSignal 112 from the BWCD 102 and processes the Bluetooth signal 112 toextract the audible signals.

The Interface 104 then transmits the audible signals to the RHAD 106 viaa low power RF signal 114. A low power RF device operates at a powerlevel much lower than a typical communication device, such as a cellulartelephone, and low power RF signals do not generate interference at theRHAD 106 because of significantly reduced transmit power and/or becauseof the use of spread spectrum modulation (CMDA). The low power RF signal114 is received by the RHAD 106 and the audible signals are extracted.The audible signals can be further processed by the RHAD 106 inaccordance with the needs of the RHAD user 108, and then output to theRHAD user 108 at a RHAD speaker. In this way, signals received at theBWCD 102 over the cellular telecommunications network 116 can beprovided to the RHAD 106 by the Interface 104.

As shown in FIG. 1, the Interface 104 can be provided at a distance fromthe RHAD 106, such as at the user's waist, to decrease electromagneticinterference at the RHAD 106 that may result from operation of theInterface 104. That is, by providing the Interface 104 at a distancefrom the RHAD 106, the energy from the Interface's power source does notinterfere with the RHAD 106. In addition, the low power RF signal 114 isof a sufficiently small magnitude so as to not interfere with the RHAD106.

The provision of the audible signals to the RHAD 106 by the low power RFsignal 114 from the Interface 104 eliminates the need of the user 108 tohold the BWCD 102 proximate the RHAD 106. Under this arrangement it isnot necessary that an RF microphone receive output from the BWCDspeaker; rather an RF receiver may receive signals via a low power RFsignal 114. No longer needing to have the BWCD 102 speaker proximate theRHAD 106, the user 108 may move the BWCD 102 a distance away from theRHAD 106, thereby reducing interference. In the case where a user 108desires to provide speech directly to the BWCD 102 using the BWCD'smicrophone, the user 108 holds the BWCD 102 at a position away from theRHAD 106 but near the user's mouth. This position would decrease theinterference generated by the BWCD 102 at the RHAD 106 while stillallowing the BWCD 102 microphone to receive speech of the user 108.

In alternative embodiments the Interface 104 is provided with amicrophone (not shown) so that the Interface 104 may also receive theuser's speech and transmit voice signals to the BWCD 102 via theBluetooth communications link established between the Interface 104 andthe BWCD 102. In that case, the Interface 104 engages in bidirectionaltransmission of audible signals. In embodiments where the Interface 104includes a microphone for receiving the user's speech, the BWCD 102 canbe moved an even greater distance from the user 108, as permitted by theapplicable short range communication protocol so that the user 108 nolonger needs to be proximate the BWCD speaker or BWCD microphone. Insome embodiments the microphone is located separate from, or integralto, the HAD 106.

Turning to FIG. 2, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a HAS 100that includes a BWCD 102. The BWCD 102 receives signals 110 from acellular telecommunications network 116. In this example, the BWCD 102is in the form of a Bluetooth-enabled cellular telephone. The BWCD 102may have an integrated Bluetooth capability added during manufacture ormay be upgraded to contain the Bluetooth capability after manufacture.The illustrated BWCD 102 has a Bluetooth Communications Module 202 thatincludes circuitry for wirelessly exchanging digitized audible signalswith an external Bluetooth-enabled device, such as described immediatelybelow.

The HAS 100 also includes an Interface 104 for communicating with theBWCD 102. The Interface 104 includes an Interface BluetoothCommunications Module (IBCM) 204 that includes Bluetooth Circuitry forwirelessly exchanging signals with another Bluetooth-enabled device,such as the BWCD 102 substantially in accordance with the Bluetoothspecification. Thus, the IBCM 204 allows the Interface 104 to establisha communications link with the BWCD 102 and receive signals transmittedfrom the BWCD 102 via a Bluetooth signal 112.

The illustrated Interface 104 also includes means for short rangecommunication, such as a Low Power RF Module 206. The Low Power RFModule 206 includes transceiver circuitry for establishing acommunications link with the RHAD 106, and wirelessly exchanging analogor digitized audible signals with the RHAD 106 via a low power RF signal114. The Interface 104 can further include a controller 208 havingcontrol logic for managing and controlling the IBCM 204 and the LowPower RF Module 206.

The HAS 100 may also include a RHAD 106. The illustrated RHAD 106includes means for short range communication, such as a Low Power RFModule 210 having circuitry for establishing a Low Power RFcommunications link with the Interface 104, receiving Low Power RFsignals 114 from the Interface 104, and processing the Low Power RFsignals 114 to extract audible signals. The RHAD 106 may also includehearing assistive circuitry commonly found in hearing assistive devicesfor processing the audible signals in accordance with the hearingimpairments of the user 108. In alternative embodiments, the RHAD 106 isa headset that the user wears on an ear. The RHAD 106 includes a hearingassistive device, means for short range communication, and a microphonefor communicating to the Interface 104 or directly to the wirelesscommunication device 102.

Turning to FIG. 3, there is shown a detailed block diagram of anInterface 104 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure. As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the Interface 104includes Bluetooth Communications Logic 302, Low Power RF CommunicationsLogic 304, CODEC/Processor Logic 306, a user control interface 308,control logic 310, and a power source 312.

The Bluetooth Communications Logic 302 contains circuitry for wirelesslyexchanging digitized audible signals with the BWCD 102. The BluetoothCommunications Logic 302 can perform encryption and decryption ofaudible signals under the Bluetooth specification for wirelesscommunications. The Bluetooth Communications Logic 302 can include aBluetooth chip or chipset, such as a plurality of integrated circuitsthat may be integrated into one or more modules and may include avariety of components for effectuating Bluetooth capability, such as aprocessor, a clock, a transmitter, a receiver, an antenna, and acontroller.

The CODEC/Processor Logic 306 can include circuitry for performingprocessing functions on incoming transmissions, such as decoding,decryption, error detection, payload extraction and audio decompressionfunctions, and circuitry for performing processing functions on outgoingtransmissions, such as encoding, encryption and audio compressionfunctions. For example, the CODEC/Processor Logic 306 can receive adigitized audible signal from the Bluetooth Communications Logic 302,decode the signal and extract desired voice or music signals. TheCODEC/Processor Logic 306 can then perform processing functions, such asaudio compression, encoding and other functions, on the resultantaudible signal prior to delivery to the Low Power RF CommunicationsLogic 304, and transmission to the RHAD 106.

Although the CODEC/Processor Logic 306, the Low Power RF CommunicationsLogic 304, the Bluetooth Communications Logic 302, and the Control Logic310 are shown as separate components, it is contemplated that thefunctions of these devices may be performed by a combination of thedevices into a single unit and that functions discussed as beingperformed by one structure may alternatively be performed by otherstructures. For example, some of the functions discussed as beingperformed by the CODEC/Processor Logic 306 may be performed at theBluetooth Communications Logic 302, the Low Power RF CommunicationsLogic 304, or the Control Logic 310, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment wherein the Interface 104 is provided with an integralor remote microphone 314, the microphone 314 can receive speech from theuser 108 and provide associated voice signals to the CODEC/ProcessorLogic 306. The CODEC/Processor Logic 306 can then convert the user'svoice signals into an encoded speech format for exchange with theBluetooth Communications Logic 302. The voice signals can then betransmitted by the Bluetooth Communications Logic 302 to the BWCD 102via a Bluetooth signal. If required, the CODEC/Processor Logic 306 mayconvert analog signals into digital form before converting them into anencoded speech format. The CODEC/Processor Logic 306 can then exchangethe voice signals with the Bluetooth Communications Logic 302, such asby exchanging a bit stream of digitized voice signals with the BluetoothCommunications Logic 302. If data signals are provided, such as in theform of music, the CODEC/Processor Logic 306 can perform datacompression and decompression as required.

The Interface 104 also includes Low Power RF Communications Logic 304that contains circuitry for exchanging digitized or analog voice signalsvia a Low Power RF signal 114. The Low Power RF Communications Logic 304can be adapted for communication with a particular type of RHAD 106 andcan be adapted for communication with multiple RHADs 106, such as thecase where a user 108 has a different calibrated RHAD 106 in each ear.In addition to transmitting voice signals to the RHAD 106, the Low PowerRF Communications Logic 304 also can transmit and receive other data,such as control data with the RHAD 106.

The Low Power RF Communications Logic 304 includes circuitry, such as anantenna, an amplifier, a transmitter, and a processor, for performingother functions not performed by the CODEC/Processor Logic 306 to readythe signal for transmission to the RHAD 106. The Low Power RFCommunications Logic 304 modulates the signal to an RF carrier,amplifies the signal as required, and transmits the signal by an antennato the RHAD 106. The Low Power RF Communications Logic 304 can include aLow Power RF transmitter and receiver circuitry for bi-directionalcommunication with the RHAD 106, to receive, for example, controlsignals from the RHAD 106 or voice signals from a microphone. Forexample, the Interface 104 may receive control data from the usercontrol interface 308 to configure parameters, such as frequency channeland operational modes for transmitting audible signals to the RHAD 106.

The Bluetooth Communications Logic 302, CODEC/Processor Logic 306, LowPower RF Communications Logic 304, microphone 314, and the user controlinterface 308 are connected to and controlled by control logic 310. Thecontrol logic 310 can include a central processing unit (CPU) andmemory, such as flash memory. The user control interface 308 can includebuttons, visual indicators such as light emitting diodes (LED's) andlights, and associated drivers and logic to receive input from the user108 and display status conditions back to the user 108, and generallyprovide an interface between the user 108 and the Interface 104. Forexample, the user control interface 308 may indicate power on-off, andestablishment of communication between the Interface 104 and the BWCD102 or the RHAD 106.

As shown in FIG. 4, the Interface 104 may include a housing 410 withmeans for attaching the Interface 104 to the user's body or clothingsuch as a clip 412, arm band 414, neck loop 416 or cradle (not shown),or the like. In addition, housing 410 may be provided with means forconveniently placing the Interface 104 on a surface near a user 108,such as on the surface of a desk or table.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an RHAD 106. TheRHAD 106 can include a Hearing Assistive Module (HAM) 502 and RHAD RFCommunications Logic (RRCL) 504. The HAM 502 can include components forreceiving and processing signals in accordance with the hearingdeficiencies of the RHAD user 108 and can include components commonlyfound in hearing aids such as a microphone 506, a telecoil 508, anamplifier 510, and a speaker 512 as well as a signal processing circuit514. The RHAD 106 also can include other structures known in the art,such as a power source, power switch, volume control, mode selectbuttons, etc., which are not shown so as not to obscure the disclosure.

In communication with the RRCL 504 at a direct audio input port 505 is aLow Power RF Module 210, an associated antenna (not shown), and anassociated processor (not shown). The RRCL 504 and RF Module 210 includecircuitry for establishing a communications link with the Low Power RFCommunications Logic 304 of the Interface 104 and receiving andprocessing a Low Power RF signal from the Interface 104, as describedpreviously. Where the RRCL 504 or RF Module 210 provides controlinformation to the Interface 104, the RF Module 210 may also include atransmitter. These structures may be arranged on a printed circuit boardor some other type of circuit that is sized to fit within a hearing aidhousing. Alternatively, the RRCL 504 and RF Module 210 may beincorporated into a separate module or boot that can be attached to ahearing aid housing, such as a behind the ear (BTE) hearing aid.

The processor of the RRCL 502 may perform processing functions onsignals received from Interface 104 such as signal detection,setup/control functions, frequency band, channel selection, powercontrol, modulation, selection, interference and received signalstrength monitoring. If a digital signal is being sent by the Interface104, the processor can decode the signal. If an analog signal is beingsent, the signal may be sent to an analog-to-digital converter eitherwithin the RRCL 504 or at a converter 516 in the signal processingcircuit 514 of the RHAD 106, The processor may perform processingfunctions on the Low Power RF signal 114 received from the Interface104, such as decompression, decoding, error detection, synchronization,and/or other functions as required.

The HAM 502 includes signal processing logic 514 for receiving andprocessing signals in accordance with the needs of the RHAD user 108,The signal processing circuit may include an analog-to-digital converter516, a processor 518, and a digital-to-analog converter 520. Theprocessor 518 processes signals received from the RRCL 504, or theRHAD's microphone 506 or telecoil 508, in accordance with the hearingdeficiencies of the RHAD user 108. The processed signals are thenprovided to the user 108 through an RHAD speaker 512. The RHAD 106 canbe adapted to operate in different modes such as a microphone, telecoil,and RF modes. For example, the RHAD 106 may be adapted to switch to anRE mode to receive the low power RF signals 114 from the Interface 104upon a polling signal from the Interface 104. In operation, a low powerRF signal 114 is received by an antenna of the RF Module 210 andprocessed to extract the voice signals. The voice signals are thenprovided to the HAM 502 for further processing and the resultant voicesignals output to the RHAD user 108 at the speaker 512.

An example of a method of operation in accordance with the presentdisclosure will now be described. The user 108 makes or receives a phonecall with a friend using the user's BWCD 102 to establish acommunication link over a cellular telecommunications network 116. Thefriend speaks into his communications device 118 so that the friend'svoice is transmitted over the cellular telecommunications network 116 tothe user's BWCD 102. The BWCD 102 then passes the friend's digitizedvoice signals to the Bluetooth Communications Logic 302 of the Interface104 via a Bluetooth signal 112, which is just one example of means forshort range communication. The Bluetooth Communications Logic 302 passesthe digitized voice signals to the CODEC/Processor Logic 306 in a bitstream format. The CODEC/Processor Logic 306 transforms the voice signalbit stream into an encoded voice signal format, decodes the voicesignal, and passes it to the Low Power RF Communications logic 304. TheLow Power RF Communications Logic 304 then converts the voice signal toa format expected by the RHAD 106 and transmits the voice signal to theRHAD 106 via a Low Power RE carrier signal 114. The RF Module 210receives the Low Power RF communications signal 114 and the RRCL 504processes the signal to extract the voice signal. The voice signal isthen sent to the HAM 502 to be processed by the signal processingcircuit 514 and output to the RHAD user 108 at the speaker 512. The user108 may then respond by speaking into a microphone of the BWCD 102 sothat the user's voice signal is received at the BWCD 102 and transmittedover the cellular telecommunications network 116 to the friend'scommunications device 118.

In an embodiment in which the Interface 104 includes an integral orremote microphone 314, the user 108 may respond by speaking into themicrophone 314 so that the user's voice is received by the microphone314 and sent to the CODEC/Processor Logic 306. The CODEC/Processor Logic306 processes the voice signal for delivery to the BluetoothCommunications Logic 302 for transmission to the BWCD 102 via aBluetooth signal. The CODEC/Processor Logic 306 may digitize the voicesignals, create encoded speech, translate the encoded voice signals intoa bit stream representation and send the voice signal to the BluetoothCommunications Logic 302 under the control of the Control Logic 310. TheBluetooth Communications Logic 302 takes the digital voice signals andpasses them wirelessly to the BWCD 102, which transmits the voice signalto the friend's communications device 118 via the cellulartelecommunications network 116. Because many telephones are nowmanufactured with Bluetooth capability many users would not need topurchase a new telephone to experience the advantages of the presentdisclosure, but could use their current Bluetooth-enabled phone inconjunction with the Interface 104 and RHAD 106.

It must be emphasized that the law does not require and it iseconomically prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possibleembodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described embodimentsare merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for aclean understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Variations,modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-describedembodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All suchvariations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by thescope of this disclosure and the following claims.

1. A communications interface device comprising: a processor; and amemory for storing instructions, which when executed by the processor,cause the processor to perform operations comprising: converting asignal, received using a first communication protocol and including anaudio signal, into a format recognizable by a hearing assistive device;and generating a communication signal including the audio signal basedon the converted signal, wherein the communication signal is transmittedto the hearing assistive device using a low power radio frequencytransmission protocol that is different than the first communicationprotocol, and wherein the hearing assistive device extracts an audiblesignal from the communication signal and manipulates the extractedaudible signal according to a criterion associated with a user of thehearing assistive device.
 2. The communications interface device ofclaim 1, wherein the criterion associated with the user of the hearingassistive device is determined by the user.
 3. The communicationsinterface device of claim 1, wherein the criterion associated with theuser of the hearing assistive device includes a hearing limitationassociated with the user.
 4. The communications interface device ofclaim 1, wherein the communication signal is generated for transmissionto multiple hearing assistive devices.
 5. The communications interfacedevice of claim 1, wherein the signal received using the firstcommunication protocol is received from a wireless communication device.6. A hearing assistive device, comprising: a processor; a memory forstoring instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to perform operations comprising: converting a communicationsignal received via a lower power radio frequency communication protocolinto a format usable by the hearing assistive device; extracting anaudible signal from the communication signal; and manipulating theaudible signal according to a criterion associated with a user of thehearing assistive device.
 7. The hearing assistive device of claim 6,further comprising a low power radio frequency receiver for receivingthe communication signal.
 8. The hearing assistive device of claim 6,wherein the criterion associated with the user of the hearing assistivedevice is determined by the user.
 9. The hearing assistive device ofclaim 6, wherein the criterion associated with the user of the hearingassistive device includes a hearing limitation associated with the user.10. The hearing assistive device of claim 7, further comprising aspeaker, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor,further cause the processor to output the audible signal via thespeaker.
 11. The hearing assistive device of claim 7, further comprisinga microphone.
 12. The hearing assistive device of claim 11, furthercomprising a transmitter for transmitting a microphone signal receivedfrom the microphone to a wireless communications device.
 13. The hearingassistive device of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed bythe processor, further cause the processor to process the microphonesignal prior to transmitting the microphone signal to the wirelesscommunications device.
 14. A method comprising: converting, by aprocessor, a signal received using a first communication protocol andincluding an audio signal into a format recognizable by a hearingassistive device; and generating, by the processor, a communicationsignal including the audio signal based on the converted signal, whereinthe communication signal is transmitted to the hearing assistive deviceusing a low power radio frequency transmission protocol that isdifferent than the first communication protocol, and wherein the hearingassistive device extracts an audible signal from the communicationsignal and manipulates the extracted audible signal according to acriterion associated with a user of the hearing assistive device. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein the criterion associated with the userof the hearing assistive device is determined by the user.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the criterion associated with the user ofthe hearing assistive device includes a hearing limitation associatedwith the user.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the communicationsignal is generated for transmission to multiple hearing assistivedevices.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the signal received usingthe first communication protocol is received from a wirelesscommunication device.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprisingestablishing a communications link with the hearing assistive device.20. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving control signalsfrom the hearing assistive device via the communications link.